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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "vusi williams" <vuswil11@hotmail.co.uk>
Date: Fri, 24 Nov 2006 12:49:51 +0000
Subject: Compliment!!!

From: Vusi Williams
Boksburg, South Africa.
Direct email- vuswil@walla.com
                                                                                     Date:24th Nov. 2006
 
      APPEAL FOR URGENT BUSINESS ASSISTANCE.
 
Dearest One,
 
          Permit me to inform you of my desire of going into business relationship with you. I am quite aware that my message will come to you as a surprise because it is indeed very strange for someone you have not met before to contact you in this regard.
          I am Vusi Williams the only Son of late Chief And Mrs. Dikko Williams. My father was a very wealthy Cocoa merchant in Boksburg JHB; the economic capital of South Africa , my father was poisoned to death by his business associates on one of their outings on a business trip.
          My mother died when I was a baby and since then my father took me so special. Before the death of my father on October 2004 in a private hospital here in Boksburg he secretly called me on his bed side and told me that he has the sum of (Seven million, five hundred thousand United State Dollars).USD ($7.500, 000, 00) left in fixed / suspense account in one of the prime banks here in Boksburg, that he used my name as his only Son for the next of Kin in depositing of the fund. He also explained to me that it was because of this wealth that he was poisoned by his business associates. That I should seek for a foreign partner in a country of my choice where I will transfer this money and use it for investment purpose such as real estate or hotel management.
      Dear, I am honorably seeking your assistance in the following ways:
(1) To provide a bank account into which this money would be transferred to.
(2) To serve as a guardian of this fund since I am only 22years.
(3) To make arrangement for me to come over to your country to further my education and also to secure a resident permit in your country.
          Moreover, Dear I am willing to offer you 15% of the total sum as compensation for your effort/ input after the successful transfer of this fund into your nominated account overseas.
         Furthermore, dear please indicate your options towards assisting me as I believe that this transaction would be conclude within seven (7) days you signify your interest to assist me.  Please reply me through my private e-mail address vuswil@walla.com
 
Anticipating hearing from you urgently.
 
Thanks and God bless.
Yours Sincerely,
Vusi Williams
 

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